Wall bracket



April 29, 1941.

R. s. SANFORD WALL BRACKET Filed Nov. l2, 1938 mpimww.

Patented Apr. 29, 1941 VALL BRACKET Roy S. Sanford, Oakville, Conn., assigner to The Incorporated, Oakville, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut- Application November 12, 1938, Serial.No.239,988

Autoyre Company,

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a wall bracket and hasspecial reference to a device for detachably securing a xture to a wall.

More particularly, this invention relates to a wall bracket comprising a backing plate With means for securing the backing plate in fixed engagement with the wall and a face plate for supporting a xture, there being means on one of the plates for engagingl and holding the other of the plates in an assembled relation therewith, and other means on one of the plates for engaging the other of the plates for frictionally maintaining the assembled relation against accidental displacement. The face plate is preferably centrally embossed in a spaced relation with the back plate to house and to conceal the frictional means and the Wall securing means.

The present invention -contemplates the provision of a wall bracket in which the backing plate is secured directly to the wall, and the face plate, which is preferably slidably engaged and held by the backing plate, supports preferably in fixed relation therewith a iixture such as a soap dish, a roll holder, tumbler holder, towel rack, hook, or the like. In the case, for example, of a towel rack, the bar thereof is supported between two brackets. It is quite difcult to measure off the exact spacing between the brackets to receive the bar and, in obtaining the correct spacing, to have the brackets vertically disposed. Also in the case of a roll holder, it is diiiicult to install a bracket so that `thearms for supporting the roll occupy a vertical position with the roll in a truly horizontal position.

In any fixture of the type indicated above, as well as of others, it is extremely difiicult to install a bracket so that the bracket or a number of complementary brackets and fixture supported thereby are vertically and horizontally disposed in keeping with good appearance. The present invention contemplates the elimination of the difficulties encountered in installing the usual form of bracket since thebacking plate of the present bracket may be initially mounted and tried before final installation.

In commercially exploiting a two-piece bracket, it is desirable that the two pieces are in an assembled relationV for purposes of display and the like andyet in order to permit easy demonstration the two parts should be readily detachable and replaceable. However, in installation of the bracket and xture on the wall, this detachable relation should not be nearly as readily obtained or else there would be great danger of accidental displacement `of `the assembly.

When operating the members for examination before purchase, therefore, it is highly desirable to be able to detach vand to assemble the members without any substantial inconveniences. When, 'however, the backing plate is attached to the wall `in position for use, the frictional engagement with the face plate .holding the iixture should besubstantially greater. The present application contemplates a construction wherein the frictional engagement Vbetween the backing plate and face plate is varied for purposes of convenience in examination when on display and for purposes of resistance to displacement when in a fixed relation with the wall.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a wall bracket of the type hereinabove noted which is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, is simple to install and is convenient and efcient in operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a wall bracket of the character indicated above which may be initially installed and tried before final installation so that the assembly thereof is vertically and horizontally disposed in keeping with good appearance.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a wall bracket of the hereinabove mentioned character wherein the frictional engagement between the face and backing plates is varied for ease of operation in handling and for the prevention of vaccidental displacement when attached to the wall.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter be more particularly'pointed out and for a `more complete understanding of the characteristic features of the invention, reference may now be had to the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which latter:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the backing plate embodying the features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the face plate embodying the `features of this invention, the face plate being for co-operation with the backing plate of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the assembly of the face and backing plates of Figs. 1 and 2; y

Fig. 4 isa central longitudinal sectional YView of the face and backing plates inladisassembled relation;

Fig. `5 is a `central `longitudinal sectional view of theabacking plate lmounted on awall; and

rig. eige view simiiarto Fig. ssnowmgltne face plate in section mounted on the backing plate.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the wall bracket embodying the features of this invention comprises a backing plate Ill and a face plate II, the backing plate being adapted to be secured in fixed engagement with a wall I2 and the face plate being adapted to support a xture I3.V VThe face plate II is detachably supported on the backing plate I0.

The backing plate I0 may be of any desired configuration and is preferably formed of a resilient sheet metal material. Flanges I4 and I5 are directed inwardly toward each other in a spaced relation from the face of the backing plate and on opposed sides thereof to form channels I6Vfor receiving and for holding opposed edges I'I and- I8 of the face plate II. The flanges I4 and I5 are preferably formed integrally with the backing plate end extend in a downwardly convergingrelation to each other, the edges I1 and I8 of the face plate IIbeing similarly converged for slidable engagement inthe channels I 6.

` A tongue I9 is cut fromthe material of the backing'plate I0, the cut forming disconnected openings 20 and 2| providing fulcrums 22 and 23 lone on each side of the tongue between the ends thereof. The ends 24 and 25 on opposite sides of the fulcrums 22 and 23 are preferably bent out of the plane of the backing plate in the direction of the face plate II in a normal condition.

A notch 2E is formed in the backing plate communicating with the opening 20 thereof adjacent tothe end 24 of the tongue I9, the notch together with the width of the opening thereat being suflcient in size tov receive the shank of a screw 21,

the latter being provided with a head 28. A slot 29 Vis provided fat the lower end of the backing plate IU, the slot being elongated in the direction of the width of the bracket and bein-g adapt- ,y

ed to receive the shank o-f a screw 30.

The face plate II is of any fanciful design and is' embossed' centrally with the outer edges thereof resting against the face of the backing plate IIl. Theface'plate ispreferably' formed of stamped sheet metal although it is `obvious that the only requirement necessary for .the material of which the face plates m'a-de is that the material be comparativelylrigid. Thus the face plate may be formed of' a ceramic material or any composition material lor vthe like having this requirement.

'A projection 3I is'for'med 'on the inside face of the face plate II, the upper edge of the'projection being "in alignment with the end 25 of the tongue I9 to effect a snap engagement therewith as the face plate is moved into slidable engagement with the backing plate in an assembled relation.

Referring nowmore particularly to Fig. 4 of the drawing, the tongue I9 is shown in what may betermed a normal condition, both ends 24 and 25 extending inthe same direction outv of rthe plane of the backing plate. By referring now more particularly to Fig., 5, the backing plate is shown as being assembled to the wall I2, the shanks of the screws 21 and 3D extending through theirrespective apertures 26 and 29 and into the wall with the heads thereof engaging portions of the backing plate.

The screws 2'I'and 3i] are not finally seated or screwed home in the initial positioning of the backing plate on the wall but are screwed in tightly enough to hold the backing plate against accidental movement. The face plate is thereafter moved into engagement with the'b'acking plate and the relation of the fixture with respect to the wall is noted. Should the fixture not be vertically and horizontally disposed on the wall, the backing lplate may be moved by rotating the same in either direction against the frictional resistance of the screws for holding the backing plate in position on the wall whereafter when the desired position -i-s obtained the screws are screwed home yand the backing plate isr held in a perm-anent fixed relation with the wall.

In tightening the screw 2l .the head 28 thereof or, if desired, a washer 32 adjacent thereto, urges the end 24 of the tongue I9 into the plane of the backing plate I. In so doing the end 24 of the :tongue projects the end 25 of the tongue from the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5 to the position shown in full lines in the same figure, the ful'crums' 22 and 23 acting as pivotal points in the movement of the yends of the tongue. In the position of the end 25 of the tongue shown in Fig. v5` a greater frictional resistance is obtained against the displacement of the face plate I I than is obtained in its normal `condition shown in Fig. 4.

In displaying the yassembled bracket on a counter for handling by the prospective purchaser, but a comparatively slight frictional resistance i-s lafforded by the end 25 of the tongue I9 against the end of the projection 3l and the face and bracket members are readily and conveniently disassembled and assembled. Only sufficient frictional engagement is had therebetween as may prevent accidental displacement in handling and in storage.V However, in use on a wall, a relatively greater amount of friction is. had to prevent displacement of the face plate from the backing plate as is shown inFig. 6, it being desirable to employ a comparatively greater amount of friction Ain holding the assembled elements against displacement because of .the greater lever- .age that may be obtained when the bracket is fixed to the supporting wall.

As above stated, th-e face plate may support a bracket having anyA one of a number of different Q fixtures and the backing plate may be used inter- "changeably with any of these brackets and fixtures.V The backing plate is readily `and conveniently installed andsuiicient friction is obtained in an vinitial install-ation on the wall to permit :adjustment of the bracket and the supported xture to obtain a desired vertical and horizontal relation 4prior to nal installation.l

While but a single embodiment of this invention is herein shown .and described, it is to .be

:understood that various modifications thereof may be apparent to. those skilled `in the art without departing from .the spirit and scope of this invention, and, therefore, the same is only to be limited by .the scope. of the prior art and the appended claims. y

I'clam: i 'Y 1. A Wall bracket, comprisinga backing' plate, means for securing said backing plate in xed engagement with the wall, a faceplate for sup- `porting a xture, one' of said plates .being-ofresilient material, ycio-operating means 'on said plates for holding them in' an assembled relation including a tongue on the resilient` plate connected thereto between the ends thereof, the ends of said tongue on 'ea'ch'side of said connection extending in the same'pl'ane out of the plane of Vsaid resilient plate,- one end of said .tongue engaging a projection-on' the other ofi said plates formamtaining' said assembled Yrelation :against accidental displacement, saidfs'ecuring means engaging the other end of said tongue for rotating said tongue into holding engagement with vsaid projection.

2. A Wall bracket, comprising a backing plate, means for securing said `backing plate in fixed engagement with the wall, a face plate for supporting a fixture, one of said plates being of resilient material, A(so-operating means on said plates for holding them in an assembled relation including `a tongue on the resilient plate connected thereto between the ends thereof, the ends of said tongue on each side of said lconnection extending in the same plane out of the plane of said resilient pla-te, one end of said tongue engaging a pro- Jection on the other of said plates for maintaining said assembled relation against accidental displacement, Aand a headed screw extending through :an aperture adjacent the other end of said tongue with the head of the screw engaging and rotating said tongue into holding engagement with said proj ection.

3. A wall bracket, comprising Aa backing plate, means for securing said backing platein fixed engagement with the Wall, a face plate for supporting a fixture, one of 4said plates being of resilient material, `co-operating means on said plates for holding them in an assembled relation including a tongue formed integrally with said resilient plate, said tongue being provided I,by disconnected -openings forming a fulcrum on each side and .between the ends thereof, the ends of said tongueon earch side of said connection extending in the same plane out of the plane of said resilient plate, one end of said tongue eng-aging a projection on the other of said plates for maintaining said assembled relation against accidental displacement, said securing means engaging the other end of said tongue for rotating said ton-gue into holding engagement with said projection.

ROY S. SANFORD. 

